4.06.2008

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC

We're not afraid to call it now - Seattle Sounders FC will enter MLS in 2009.

How do we know? Well, we've suspected it for around a month now, as we referenced in an earlier post. When the names to be voted upon were announced, we were confused - no mention of anything Sounders! At the time, the only available options to vote upon were Seattle Alliance, Seattle Republic and Seattle FC. They were registered trademarks and were also registered as websites by MLS Seattle. It seemed we were way off... but then the option to write in names was announced. And on March 31, last Monday, SeattleSoundersFC.net was registered by First and Goal (the operators of Qwest Field).

As of tonight, SeattleRepublic.net, SeattleAlliance.net and SeattleFC.net are all simply parked domain names. But SeattleSoundersFC.net gives us this message- "Coming Soon! This site is under construction." Bingo.

Seattle Sounders FC. A combination of what were probably the two most popular choices. A combination of worldly and local tradition. We're pretty happy with the name. But don't let this stop you from watching the announcement at noon tomorrow (April 7), because we've yet to see our (undoubtedly splendid) new logo!

Sounders is the oldest soccer name in the United States. The club has a deep tradition in the area, with the USL team winning 4 championships. If Sounders hadn't been picked as the name, over 30 years of history would be lost. I think the combination of the local and worldwide tradition is a great idea.

The colors, blue and green, are drawn from the natural beauty that surrounds the city. Almost all of the local professional sports teams use some for of these colors: Seahawks, Mariners, Thunder Birds, Rainiers, Aqua Sox, and the USL Sounders. It makes sense to use these colors as they are recognizable from the Northwest area. I can't imagine what colors would fit more perfectly.

I'm rather excited about all this. We got to keep the name that (as stated) holds history and importance to Washington fans. If you're having a tough time getting behind the team, then don't! You're obviously not in it for the game, so go be pretentious somewhere else. . .

BobH, I can def see where you're coming from. That's kind of why I like it, though - we all are Sounders, not just those on the pitch. I think it works really well with the fan-involvement idea the ownership seems so big on.